RIPAC E-News
JULY 2010 Edition
RI Patient Advocacy Coalition
Welcome to the monthly newsletter of the RI Patient Advocacy Coalition (RIPAC), the medical marijuana community of Rhode Island! Visit our website, www.RIpatients.org.
In this issue:
1. PHYSICIAN CONFIDENTIALITY BILL IS NOW LAW
2. ANNOUNCEMENT ON COMPASSION CENTERS EXPECTED SOON
3. VA WILL NO LONGER DENY OPIOIDS TO VETS WITH MMJ LICENSES
4. TIPS FOR PATIENTS AND CAREGIVERS
5. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS ! RIPAC OFFERS PATIENT AND CAREGIVER ORIENTATIONS
6. UPCOMING PATIENT, COMMUNITY, AND REGIONAL MEETINGS
1. PHYSICIAN CONFIDENTIALITY BILL IS NOW LAW!!!!
- The names of the medical practitioners who sign patient applications are now absolutely confidential and cannot be released by the Health Department. The new law adds another layer of confidentiality, reinforcing the original intent of the Medical Marijuana Act.
- This is the first time that Governor Donald Carcieri did not veto a medical marijuana bill. He let the bill become law, effective June 25, 2010.
- You can read the original text of the law at http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/billtext10/housetext10/h8172.pdf
2. ANNOUNCEMENT OF DECISION REGARDING COMPASSION CENTER LICENSES EXPECTED ON JULY 29.
- The Department of Health is currently reviewing the 15 Compassion Center applications. As of this writing, they are expecting to announce which nonprofit organizations will be issued Compassion Center licenses on July 29.
- The Department can award up to 3 licenses. You can find the applications submitted by the Compassion Center applicants by clicking here http://www.health.ri.gov/programs/medicalmarijuana/index.php Click on “Compassion Center applicants” to find the list of applicants. If you click on the names of the individual applicants, you will find their applications.
- The Compassion Centers will provide another option for patients to obtain medicine. Patients may appoint a Compassion Center to be their caregiver.
- Patient will still be able to grow their own medicine and appoint individual caregivers.
3. VETERANS WILL NO LONGER BE DENIED ACCESS TO OPIOIDS BECAUSE OF LEGAL MMJ USE.
- The Department for Veteran’s Affairs clarified the VA’s policy on prescribing opioids for Veterans who are using MMJ legally under state law.
- Veterans obtaining and using medical marijuana in a manner consistent with state law are no longer precluded from receiving opioids for pain management in a Department of Veterans Affairs facility.
- In a July 6, 2024 letter, Robert A. Petzel M.D.,Undersecretary for Health of the VA, stated that a distinction needs to be made in pain management contracts between illegal drugs and legal medical marijuana. To view the letter go to http://proxychi.baremetal.com/www.drugsense.org/temp/Undersecretary-Jun6.pdf.
4. TIPS FOR PATIENTS AND CAREGIVERS
- If you are applying for a patient license, be sure to use the new application. The Department of Health has changed the physician/practitioner form. To view or download the new form click here: http://www.health.ri.gov/forms/registration/MedicalMarijuanaNewApplication.pdf
- The number of patients calling the RIPAC office looking for help obtaining medicine and clones to start new gardens is on the rise. If you are able to donate medicine or clones, please call the office and we can direct you to someone in need. Please be extra careful to examine clones for mites.
- The Department of Health is still short staffed. It may take 4 weeks to process the growing number of applications. Please submit renewals as soon as possible to avoid lapses in protection.
5. RIPAC OFFERS PATIENT AND CAREGIVER ORIENTATIONS
- Are you a newly licensed medical marijuana patient or caregiver? Schedule a RIPAC Orientation.
- A RIPAC Patient Orientation is a one-on-one meeting with a RIPAC staff member or volunteer to explain the Medical Marijuana Act and answer questions. Patients get advice on choosing and interviewing caregivers. Contact RIPAC and request a Patient Orientation.
- A RIPAC Caregiver Orientation is a one-on-one meeting with a RIPAC staff member or volunteer to explain the Medical Marijuana Act and answer questions. We encourage patients to ask would-be caregivers whether they've attended an orientation. Contact RIPAC and request a Caregiver Orientation.
7. RIPAC MEETINGS: COMMUNITY, PATIENT, REGIONALS
- Community Meeting: The second Tuesday of every month 6:30-8:00pm at 55 Hope Street in Providence. The next Community Meeting will be on Tuesday, August 10. Community Meetings are open to all those interested in learning about the RI Medical Marijuana Program.
- Patient Meeting: 7:00-8:30pm Tuesday, July 27 will be our Patient Meeting for licensed patients. Licensed caregivers are welcome if they are with their patients. Call us at 861-1601 for location and directions.
- Regional Meetings: For licensed patients only. Licensed caregivers are welcome if attending with their patients. Please call us at 861-1601 for meeting locations. Patients living in South County are welcome at the South County Regional Meeting on the third Thursday of the month from 7:00-8:30pm. Next meeting will be Thursday August 19. The Newport County Regional Meetings are in Middletown on the first Tuesday of the month from 6:30 to 8:30pm but there will not be an August meeting. The next Newport meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 7. Patients from Tiverton and Little Compton are also invited. Call us for directions at 861-1601. The East Bay Regional Meetings have resumed. The next one will be on Thursday, August 19, 6:30-8:00pm in East Providence. Please call 861-1601 if interested.
We couldn't do this without your support! To sustain our efforts to organize patients and protect patient and caregiver rights, please donate to RIPAC at RIpatients.org/donate or by calling us at 401-861-1601.
Wishing you a happy and healthy month,
RIPAC
www.RIpatients.org